Staff at Jim M. Smith Chartered Accountant are cleaning up after arson caused significant smoke damage to the office on Main Street in Winkler.

"We're hoping that all the data can be restored good as new," Owner Jim Smith explains, adding their computer harddrives and hardcopies survived mostly unscathed.

Smith says he's thankful for the efforts of the Winkler Police, as well as the Winkler Fire Department after suspected arsonists started a fire at adjoining business, Country Cycle & Ski.

"They (the firefighters) are volunteers and they're getting called out at three o'clock in the morning," Smith says. "Not an easy job fighting a fire... a big thank you to the fire chief and all their volunteers."

Smith and staff are looking to open at another location as soon as possible, "It's going to be a bit of an adventure," Smith says, "to essentially restart somewhere else and move back in five or six months."

Whether they will be back in a renovated building or a brand new facility Smith says they don't know yet. He adds they continue to search for a temporary location.